Top 10 Voted Family Picnic Destinations

Written by / Lai Pengxiang

Spring has arrived, and the best way to enjoy it is by heading out for a picnic with your basket in hand. On a sunny and breezy afternoon, sitting on a lush green lawn, laying out your newly bought colorful picnic mat, and taking out the sandwiches, sliced fruits, juice, and light meals you prepared early in the morning—while the kids play on the grass, fly kites, and the gentle cool breeze brushes against the faces of both adults and children, your exclusive family picnic party begins…

The tradition of picnicking originated in 18th-century Europe. The painting "Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe" created by Manet between 1862 and 1863 shows us that “picnicking” at the time was indeed a social and leisure activity only affordable for the middle class and above. With over 200 years of history, picnicking is no longer just a pastime for the aristocracy. It has become one of the symbols of a lohas (lifestyles of health and sustainability) lifestyle. Especially for families with young children, it’s perfect for weekend outings. In addition to enjoying the sunshine and nature, you can also savor delicious food while having a very relaxing family day.

Online media outlets have ranked the “Top 10 Stylish Picnic Spots in Northern, Central, and Southern Taiwan” based on data. These include Taipei’s Huashan Grassland, Taichung’s Tunghai University, Yangmingshan’s Qingtian Gang, and other popular picnic spots. Hurry up and take the kids and your spouse out for a picnic together!

Top 1. Qingtian Gang Grassland
The vast grassland of Qingtian Gang is a great spot for Taipei citizens to enjoy a picnic on weekends. Within an hour’s drive from Taipei, you can reach Yangmingshan. The comfortable expanse of grass and the cows grazing peacefully are incredibly relaxing. The expansive field is perfect for kids to run around during a picnic, and the grazing cattle also add to the fun—children love animals, and they’ll definitely get excited at the sight of the cows!

Top 2. Huashan Grassland
The Huashan Creative and Cultural Park was formerly the “Taipei Brewery,” a complex of brewing industry buildings from the Japanese colonial period and also a museum of industrial architectural technology. Behind the park lies a large grassy area, a serene oasis in the city. On this rare patch of green in downtown Taipei, you can lie down or sit back, bask in the warm sunlight, and enjoy a relaxing afternoon picnic. It's also one of the best places in Taipei to unwind. After your picnic, you can explore the beautiful architecture and history of Huashan, as well as various cultural and creative activities and art exhibitions that enrich your picnic experience.

Top 3. Tunghai University
The most famous attraction at Tunghai University in Taichung is the “Luce Memorial Chapel.” It’s a must-visit site and often chosen by couples for wedding photos. The expansive grassland paired with the uniquely designed chapel creates a truly serene atmosphere. Whether lying on the grass gazing at the blue sky or having a picnic under the shade of trees, you’ll feel the humanistic beauty of Tunghai. Additionally, strolling along the Wenli Boulevard at Tunghai, you’ll find tree-lined paths forming a beautiful green tunnel—perfect for kids to exercise or for walking the dog. Beyond picnicking, it’s also a great place to stretch your legs and relax your mind, achieving multiple benefits at once.

Top 4. Wuling Farm
In spring, Wuling is covered with the faint fragrance of peach blossoms, plum blossoms, and apple blossoms. This picturesque scenery always attracts visitors who don’t want to leave. There are also suitable grassy areas here for the public to picnic. Located in the valley of Pingdingshi Village, Heping District, Taichung City, by the Qijia Wan Stream, Wuling Farm is home to the national treasure fish—Sakura masu salmon. It’s famous for producing pears, apples, peaches, summer vegetables, and high mountain tea. The scenery at Wuling Farm changes with the seasons, filled with the scents of fruit, vegetables, and fresh air, making you feel like you're in a paradise.

Top 5. Da’an Forest Park
With its blue skies, grassy lawns, white clouds, and sunshine, what more could you ask for besides walking your dog or letting your kids swing? Doesn’t that vast green lawn and blue sky with white clouds also make you want to take flight with a kite? Da’an Forest Park is also one of Taipei’s dreamlike picnic spots. Its beautiful grassy areas and environment, along with convenient transportation, attract a steady stream of visitors. Just be mindful that it can get quite crowded on weekends, and good spots may be hard to come by—so weekdays are recommended for a more comfortable experience.

Top 6. Dajia / Meiti Riverside Park
“Dajia Riverside Park” is located on the left bank of the Keelung River. A magnificent Dazhi Bridge connects the park with the Meiti Riverside Park across the river. Dajia Park boasts elegant scenery and a wide view, featuring vast grasslands, a large fountain pool landscape, and various sports facilities such as ball courts. Whether it’s morning, evening, or night, you’ll see many people walking along the riverside paths, jogging or running, as well as a several-kilometer-long cycling track around the area. Here, you can leisurely ride a bike while admiring the beautiful riverside views. From different angles, you can see the Grand Hotel Taipei or the beautiful Miramar Ferris wheel in the distance. The riverside park is not only a recreational destination but also one of the best spots for a family picnic.

Top 7. Cheng Kung University Banyan Garden
The Banyan Garden at Cheng Kung University is a popular spot in Tainan for weekend picnics and letting the kids play. Every weekend afternoon, you’ll see many parents bringing their children to play ball, throw frisbees, blow bubbles… The flat grassy area allows kids to run and jump to their heart’s content, burning off energy. It’s a dreamy picnic location in Tainan. Aside from picnicking, the historic Banyan Garden is also home to the iconic banyan tree seen on the logo of Cathay Life Insurance. Sometimes, you might even spot cute squirrels hopping around, adding delightful surprises to your picnic.

Top 8. Pier-2 Art Center
As a key arts and culture hub in the harbor city, Pier-2 Art Center is naturally also a great picnic spot. Besides picnicking, the continuous stream of art exhibitions ensures a steady flow of weekend visitors. Coming here on a holiday not only helps you relax but also allows you to soak up some artistic vibes, giving your kids a wonderful aesthetic experience. Walking along the old railway tracks is also quite fun.

Top 9. Taipei Flower Expo Park
As soon as you exit the MRT station, you’ll see the vast grassy lawns of the Taipei Flower Expo Park. In addition to the grass, there are also trees providing shade, making it a prime picnic spot. There are also frequent weekend markets to explore, and various events keep the area lively. The Kids’ Museum is also located here, offering the perfect leisure space for children. When the kids are tired, you can also visit the nearby Taipei Fine Arts Museum. It’s truly a great family destination in Taipei.

Top 10. Wenxin Forest Park
Covering an area of over 8 hectares, Taichung’s Wenxin Forest Park is definitely a top picnic spot for locals. Many moms also consider it the best place to take their kids for a stroll. Interestingly, even political figures like Tsai Ing-wen and Lin Chia-lung have had picnics here. If even they can’t resist the charm of picnicking, what are you waiting for?

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